Bunge Loders Croklaan, specialists in oils and fats supplied to industry including the confectionery sector, has confirmed its palm oil food portfolio is being delivered with low 3-MCPDE, ahead of EU legislation planned on the use of such compounds.

The company explained it had made its product enhancements ahead of The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) published scientific opinion points over concerns with regards to the presence of substances such as 3-MCPD Esters (3-MCPDE) and Glycidyl Esters (GE)) found in refined vegetable oils and fats.

The European Union Regulation (EU) 2018/290 limit of <1 ppm for GE took effect in March 2018. The discussions on how to translate the new 3-MCPDE tolerable daily intake (TDI) to limits for vegetable oils and fats and food products are ongoing. The exact timing for an EU regulation on limits for 3-MCPDE remains unclear.

“Ahead of European regulation on 3-MCPDE, Bunge Loders Croklaan’s European refineries have been supplying fully mitigated palm oil and palm derivatives on a large scale,” says Holger Riemensperger, Vice President Europe, Bunge Loders Croklaan. ‘We can deliver our entire food portfolio not only with low GE levels (<1 ppm), but also with low 3-MCPDE levels (<2 ppm). These levels are in line with the discussion paper developed by The European Commission in June 2016.

He added: “Top quality products and processes are our main drivers. That is why we have conducted extensive research to find effective ways of reducing the levels of these substances without undermining other quality and safety specifications’, Riemensperger continues.

‘Having control over our supply chain – from plantation to refinery – and state of the art refining capacity enables us to develop effective mitigation technologies.”

The company added that it is committed to continuing its mitigation efforts and deliver even lower levels, taking every step necessary to ensure its products meet the latest food safety and quality standards, legislation and industry requirements.